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Chapter 448.

The golden light surrounding Xiao Wu dimmed instantly under the impact of the blazing white beam. Her skin began to melt, turning red-hot, her life hanging by a thread.

Tang San, standing behind her, fared slightly better due to Xiao Wu shielding him from the brunt of the attack.

'If this continues, Xiao Wu will die… No, I can't let that happen!'

A sudden thought flashed through Tang San's mind. Without hesitation, he grabbed Xiao Wu tightly and switched their positions, taking the full force of the attack himself.

The moment their positions changed, Tang San felt an overwhelming surge of energy tearing through his body.

Boom!

The searing light engulfed them, and within seconds, both of them plummeted to the ground like falling meteors.

Their bodies crashed heavily into the earth.

At the same time, the others who had also fallen earlier began to regain consciousness. In the distance, Tang San and Xiao Wu lay motionless.

"Brother!"

Xiao Wu, covered in wounds, struggled to move. Her entire body was injured, yet none of her wounds were fatal.

At the last moment, she had felt a strange power surging within her—the Lovesick Heartbroken Red from her arms had released its energy, alleviating much of her injuries.

As an immortal herb, renowned the King of Flowers, it naturally possessed extraordinary abilities.

However, –Tang San was in a far worse state.

"Xiao Wu… you're alright… that's all that matters," Tang San said weakly. His back had been almost entirely vaporized by the beam, leaving even his bones exposed. Had Xiao Wu not endured the attack for those few crucial moments, he would have died instantly.

"No… Brother, please don't… I don't want you to die!"

Tears streamed down Xiao Wu's face.

At that moment, Dai Mubai and the others rushed over, their expressions filled with shock and horror.

Yet, despite their concern, they were all feeling extremely weak.

Though the four of them had lost consciousness due to the overwhelming domain power earlier, their bodies had still endured the residual effects, leaving them in a weakened state. However, because they had been unconscious, they had no idea what had happened afterward.

They hadn't even seen the terrifying four-hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts.

"What happened?"

Oscar quickly conjured several sausages and handed them to Tang San, but Tang San was too weak to even eat.

Xiao Wu didn't respond—she simply sobbed quietly.

Just then, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the distance. The headless divine beast stomped forward, its menacing presence drawing closer.

"That soul beast… isn't that the headless beast?"

Ma Hongjun murmured in disbelief before turning to look at his companions. "What exactly happened? Was it the White Pope—was Wang Feng pretending to be him? And then… did he knock us all out?"

"We need to escape, now!"

Oscar quickly produced mushroom sausages for everyone. "That hundred-thousand-year soul beast is far beyond our ability to handle!"

Despite his injuries, he remained calm. Whatever had happened before, their priority now was survival.

"Everyone, split up and run in different directions—don't stay together!" Oscar instructed before turning to Xiao Wu and Tang San. "Xiao Wu, Xiao San…"

"You all should go first… I can't leave," Xiao Wu murmured softly. "Its target is me. As long as you run, it won't chase you."

Silence fell over the group.

"Impossible," Zhu Zhuqing whispered.

"That's right, Xiao Wu. Do you think we would just abandon you?"

Dai Mubai's voice was firm. "We don't know what happened, but there's no way we're leaving you behind now."

Ma Hongjun and Oscar both nodded resolutely.

Just then, from the distance, two colossal figures also appeared—Da Ming and Er Ming rushed in, charging at the headless beast.

The three soul beasts clashed, unleashing a devastating battle!

The sheer force of their fight sent shockwaves across the land, their power like a violent hurricane sweeping toward them.

"Two more?!"

Ma Hongjun's eyes widened in shock before he let out a relieved sigh. "Thankfully, it looks like they have their own grudges to settle… This is perfect. While they're fighting, we're safe for now. Xiao Wu, what exactly happened just now?"

Xiao Wu, still crying, shook her head. Suddenly, a brilliant red light erupted from her body!

At that moment, a cold voice suddenly echoed through the battlefield.

"Little girl, if you dare to sacrifice yourself, I will kill you all!"

The chilling words sent shivers down everyone's spine. Their bodies tensed as they instinctively turned to look in the direction of the voice.

In the distance, a figure emerged—a black-robed old man. His presence was imposing, and the aura surrounding him was suffocating.

Nine soul rings floated around him.

A Title Douluo!

Xiao Wu's body stiffened. The moment she saw the black-robed elder, a deep chill spread through her heart.

Someone from the Spirit Hall!

But he wasn't one of the six they had encountered earlier. He was someone else entirely.

"Come with me," the old man commanded. "If you dare to sacrifice yourself to save that boy, I will slaughter every single one of you. Not only will he die, but you will also drag your companions down with you!"

His voice was like a death knell, sinking Xiao Wu's heart into despair.

His timing was impeccable—almost as if he had been waiting for this very moment.

If he had arrived before Da Ming and Er Ming engaged in battle with the headless beast, one of them could have rushed to help. But now, locked in fierce combat, it was too late for them to intervene.

What truly terrified Xiao Wu was that the old man had completely seen through her thoughts.

She had been prepared to sacrifice herself to save Tang San. It was the only way.

But now, she wasn't even being given that choice.

"Who are you?!"

Ma Hongjun summoned his martial soul instantly, his gaze icy as he stared down the old man.

"Hmph."

The black-robed elder let out a mere snort.

A crushing force descended upon them like a mountain. The overwhelming pressure made it difficult for the four of them to even move.

An intense cold seeped into their bones.

This… this was not the strength of an ordinary Title Douluo.

"Oh?"

The old man raised a brow, a hint of amusement in his voice. "It seems the so-called Shrek Seven Devils do have some potential. Even under my pressure, you're still able to stand. A Soul Emperor at your age… quite remarkable. But in the end, what good will that do you?"

Even Xiao Wu felt the suffocating pressure pressing down on her.

Then, suddenly—

A ghostly figure appeared behind the black-robed old man.

It was a terrifying apparition, wielding a scythe, exuding an eerie and unnatural presence.

'What kind of martial soul is this?!'

Everyone's eyes widened in horror.

The moment his martial soul fully manifested, the oppressive force in the air intensified.

It felt as if space itself had been locked in place. The weight was unbearable.

Blood spurted from the mouths of the four as they buckled under the pressure, barely able to stand.

The black-robed elder's gaze flickered toward Da Ming and Er Ming, who were still engaged in battle with the headless beast.

His expression darkened slightly.

"This is your last chance," he warned. "Come with me, or die here."

In the distance, Da Ming and Er Ming were rapidly overpowering the headless beast. But though their attacks were overwhelming, they were sustaining injuries as well.

Xiao Wu was silent.

She looked at Tang San, his body weak and barely clinging to life. Then she turned to Dai Mubai and the others, who were in no condition to fight.

There was no choice.

Either they all died together—

Or four of them could still survive, but Tang San would have no hope.

Just then—

Boom!

A surge of violent energy erupted.

Zhu Zhuqing, gritting her teeth, forced herself upright.

A dazzling light radiated from her heart, breaking through the immense pressure of the black-robed elder!

...….

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